2017 MLB World Series Predictions

The grueling marathon known as the MLB season has now reached its finale as the Houston Astros and L.A Dodgers square off for the right to be called World Champion. This 2017 World Series comes with plenty of storylines on both sides and there is no question that whatever team does come out on top, they'll definitely be deserving. So who will it be? Game 1's first pitch goes at 8:08 pm EST on Oct 24, 2017.

This could arguably be one of the more popular World Series in recent memory from a betting standpoint as the L.A Dodgers have supporters all over the world and they’ve all been waiting 29 years to see their team in the Fall Classic again. Had the Yankees advanced in the American League the handle for sportsbooks on this series would be astronomical, but as it is with Houston, there will still be plenty of money out there on this World Series. L.A comes in as the heavy favorite here and will be the more popular choice, but I wouldn’t be so quick to sleep on a Houston team that was nearly just as dominant as L.A was in 2017.

2017 World Series Betting Odds – To Win Series

These odds have already been bet up heavily in the Dodgers favor since the matchup was finalized late Saturday night. L.A opened in the -140 range, and there have already been reports both offshore and in Vegas that some big five and six-figure wagers have come down on the Dodgers. Given how dominant L.A was during the regular season and in the playoffs so far – they’ve won seven of eight playoff games – I would not be surprised to see this line climb up even further on L.A

Houston won’t mind being perceived as the big underdog here, because quite frankly they believe that to be 100% false. Houston won three fewer games then L.A this year, and they put up those 101 wins in a much tougher and deeper American League. They’ve got a loaded offensive lineup from top to bottom, and while many will give the edge in the starting rotation to L.A, Houston’s starters are just as good with the likes of Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander at the top.

With the early storyline being about the unseasonably extreme warm temperatures in L.A right now – baseballs travel further in hot, humid weather – and the first two games turn into offensive slugfests, Houston’s lineup should turn the Astros into more of a live dog then Dodgers fans really want to believe at the moment.

Who’s Got The Edge Overall?

It’s tough to make a blanket statement in terms of who’s got the overall edge in this series as both squads bring similar strengths on offense and in the field to this series. However, there is something that could end up being the biggest story – and ultimately the deciding factor in the 2017 World Series – by the time this thing is done and it concerns the L.A Dodgers pitching staff who most will argue is the better group in the series.

However, the problem for L.A’s staff in this matchup is the fact that three of their four starters are southpaws, and Houston was the best team in MLB that made the playoffs (LDS rounds) against hitting lefties this season. With right-handed power bats like Altuve, Springer, Correa, and Gurriel littered throughout the Astros order, we could end up seeing this Houston team feast on these lefty Dodgers starters. Oh and the one righty in L.A’s rotation – Yu Darvish – won’t have it any easier – as Houston was the best team in all of baseball in terms of hitting righties this year.

On the flip side of all that is the fact that three of the first four Astros starters are right-handed. For all of their dominant play this year, the Dodgers actually were below the middle of the pack in terms of hitting righties this year, finishing 22nd in MLB in runs scored and 24 in team batting average vs. righties. Those aren’t numbers you really want to be backing at this high-favorite price on L.A, especially since only the best of the best this year are left playing.

It’s been a highly successful MLB playoffs season for my free betting picks as I’ve been able to call five of the six series winners so far. Admittedly most of them were the favorites to move on, but I’m stepping out on the underdog in the World Series as this Astros team is completely undervalued at the moment and are just as good, if not better then this Dodgers team. I knew this line would never be close to the pick’em range, but that’s what I believe to be the true line in this series as Houston and their slugging offense finds a way to get the job done here. The 5+ year plan Houston had in rebuilding this franchise back in 2011-12 reaches it’s pinnacle as the 2017 World Series Champions.

The Toronto Raptors have emerged as the main contenders against the reign of the Golden State Warriors in 2019. NBA futures betting show Golden State as overpowering favorites to win another championship, especially in a weakened western conference. However, the rise of the eastern conference this season will produce a strong challenge from Toronto, the Boston Celtics or the Philadelphia 76ers, all of whom feature the personnel needed to upset the champs.

Super Bowl LIII takes place on February 3rd at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. An unprecedented offensive outburst from the league this season promises a high-scoring championship game. NFL Super Bowl futures over the stretch run features the Rams, Saints, Chiefs and Patriots as popular favorites. Clubs like the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers offer superb value as potential contenders.

There’s no precedent to the Golden State Warriors, who will be overwhelming NBA futures betting favorites to win their third consecutive championship. No team in history has ever fielded a starting lineup consisting of all-stars like the Warriors, a situation most teams can't compete against. Even great contenders like the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers will be longshots to win the 2019 NBA Finals.

Week 14 in the NFL begins a last ditch effort for franchises who still have a shot at making the post season. Clubs like the Panthers and Vikings need victories to avoid another disappointing season. Carolina's a solid bet to beat the Browns, but Minnesota's far from a lock against Seattle. The best NFL spread picks this week also include the Patriots, Rams and Packers.